The Galati family of Southington, CT, would like to express their deep appreciation to the residents of Wilmington and to the parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church for their overwhelming support of Mike Galati in his quest for a partial liver donation. Many offered to be donors, and prayers were constantly said for Mike, and they always had kind words of encouragement for our family.

In June, Mike received an entire new liver from a friend’s dad, Judge Michael Conroy, an organ donor, who died unexpectedly. Mike is doing very well and is on the road to recovery. Judge Conroy, a star Notre Dame rugby player as a young man, didn’t just donate his liver to Mike, he donated two lungs, two kidneys, muscle tissue to various recipients, and his heart for medical research. Our Galati family is hoping their son’s story will raise awareness and encourage people to become organ donors to give the gift of life.

People can register as donors when renewing their driver’s license or by going to http://donatelifenewengland.org. Many lessons were learned by all: belief in God, belief in the power of prayer and belief in the overwhelming kindness of people.